Consider the impact of words on others

Mar. 26, 2014

The most valuable lesson I have learned occurred unexpectedly, on a day unlike any other, and it still resonates with me years later. It was not planned out and scribbled on a chalk board, and I did not have to jot it down in my three-ring binder, but what I took away from it made me a better individual.

Class was about halfway over. I sat a few rows back, leaning over and talking to a classmate. We were joking around with one another while my teacher went over a worksheet on the projector. I remember the two of us laughing about something.

“You’re so retarded,” I joked to my classmate.

Suddenly, I heard my teacher set down her marker. I turned to face her. Any expression seemed to be washed from her face. She wore a stern countenance, but I could see hurt behind her eyes.

“I would appreciate it if you did not use that word,” she declared. “My brother, one of the most important people in my life, is mentally handicapped.” I apologized and stated that it would not happen again. Class ended a little while later, and I went about the rest of my day in a sort of daze.

I could not stop thinking about what had happened. I thought about it as I fell asleep, as I got ready in the morning and as I sat in class the following day.

Later that day, I pulled my teacher aside and expressed how deeply sorry I was for my behavior. She accepted my apology and said that it meant a lot. What I learned from this experience is how important it is to respect those around you and to use only kind words when speaking — to consider how your words could affect others.

A few months after the incident in class, I got to meet my teacher’s brother. He was one of the sweetest men I have had the pleasure of meeting. I felt lucky to have met the man who brought so much joy to my teacher’s life.

This experience showed me how great of an impact a single word can have.